NFL teams that could sneak into playoffs

Republic writer Bob McManaman's take on three teams from each conference outside the consensus top picks that could sneak into the playoff picture in 2009:

NFC

Green Bay Packers

Thanks to Brett Favre coming out of retirement to sign with the Vikings and Jay Cutler forcing a trade from the Broncos to the Bears, the Packers will operate a little under the radar this season and that's just fine with them.

Aaron Rodgers can more than hold his own as Favre's replacement and the defense, which got an overhaul in the off-season, make the Packers an easy sleeper pick in the NFC North, especially if Favre fails and Cutler gets frustrated with the lack of depth among his receivers.

New Orleans Saints

The offense here has never been a problem in the Sean Payton era, but injuries and an inconsistent defense that failed to close out games kept the Saints from making the playoffs. But they're healthy now and they improved the defense.

Carolina and Atlanta are getting all the attention in the NFC South, but if the Saints buckle down - and can rediscover a running game - they'll make some noise.

San Francisco 49ers

They showed promise by winning four of their final five games last season, leading to Mike Singletary securing the head coaching job full time, and if he can keep them playing with his fiery disposition the 49ers could surprise.

They will need stable play out of the quarterback position, but Singletary wants to author a power running game behind Frank Gore and rookie Glen Coffee, which will help. So would an attacking defense, which has some real teeth. Look out, Cardinals.

AFC

Miami Dolphins

It's hard to pick this team as an "outsider" after they went 11-5 and stole the AFC East title. But considering they won only one game the previous season, the Dolphins are in a must-prove mood in 2009 to show last year wasn't a fluke.

It will be tougher this season, given their schedule, and that every team now fully knows the "Wildcat" offense. That being said, you never want to bet against Bill Parcells, Miami's top executive and the NFL's best at repairing franchises.

Houston Texans

This is a team that finished third in the NFL in total offense a year ago, averaging 382 yards per game. They still haven't made it to the postseason since entering the league in 2002, but they've been on the right track and are getting closer.

Ultimately, the pressure might be too much to expect the Texans to seriously challenge teams like the Titans and Colts, but if either of those teams stumble, watch out for Houston.

Kansas City Chiefs

They are undergoing a massive refurbishing project, including to their own stadium, but the Chiefs could be this year's version of the 2008 Dolphins with some luck. New GM Scott Pioli, the son-in-law of Parcells, is a Bill Belichick disciple and has his blueprint in place.

They could surprise if rookie head coach Todd Haley lets things fly, quarterback Matt Cassel reproduces last season's results while with New England, running back Larry Johnson returns to form, and the defense gets more physical up front.